New data on Leptobos crassus (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) from Renzidong Cave, Early Pleistocene (Nihewanian) of Anhui, China, and an overview of the genus

Leptobos (Artiodactyla, Bovidae, Bovini) was a bovine occupying mid-latitudes of Europe east through to eastern China. A number of species of Leptobos are described with the greatest number occupying southern Europe. Here we report on Leptobos crassus, from Renzidong Cave, Anhui, China, and its relation to other species. There is an established variation in size amongst the various species, with Leptobos furtivus the smallest (slightest). The overall most robust is L. crassus; however, there is overlap in largeness of this species with Leptobos etruscus and the inadequately-understood Leptobos bravardi. Leptobos existed only during the Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene, thus it is a diagnostic taxon for the Villafranchian-Nihewanian land mammal ages of Europe and China. Leptobos occupied more open habitats and filled a predominantly grazing niche within the environment, although in eastern China (Renzidong Cave) it may have lived in mixed forested grassland. The distribution and existence of Leptobos in greater Eurasia drastically alters with the climatic and environmental deterioration that takes place at the end of the Early Pleistocene; its demise seems tied to this cooling event that launches into the glacial episodes.